The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-03-26
The Mythology of the Heavens.

~
ems, nor do modern astronomers seem
inclined to dispute their sway. Indeed
the names OF two of the oldest OF the
ancient diyinities were given a place
among the multitudes of the heavenly
hosts, one in the year Of grace 1871,
the other in 1916.
To begin with the latest named
planet, Neptune was the brother of
Jupiter and Pluto, and shared with
them the government of the universe.
Jupiter ruled the earth and the heav
ems, Pluto the lower regions, or Hades.
while to Neptune WAS delegated the
sovereignty of the seas He used TO
ride swiftly over its waters, in Il ear
drawn by steeds with feet of brass
and names of gold, while the mon
sters OF the deep sported around him.
His horses were provided with ambro-
sial proyender in deep sea caves. His
dominion was not confined to the sea,
he was god of the rivers and springs as
we'll, and he could, by stroke of his
trident, bring waters from the finty
rock.
The continual encroachment of the
sea upon the land was symbolized by
the frequent quarrels between Nep-
tune and the land deities. The thun-
der Of the breakers on the rocky shore
gave him the title of The Earth Shak-
er. He was worshipped chiefly in
sea ports, though his ascendency on
inland waters was also acknowledged.
Uranus was the first of the race Of
GODS. He was the personification of the
sky, and the type of infnity. His reign
succeeded that of chaos, and he was
himself succeeded by his son Saturn,
or kronos, the god of harvests.
Saturn had been warned that his
children would dethrone him, there
upon he devoured them entire. \
possible meaning of this myth is sug-
gested "Chronos" means time, and
time will see the end Of all things
finite. However that may be, this
rather peculiar meal did not agree
with the gentleman in question, and it
was not long before three of his sons
Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto, were
again in condition to be actively en-
gagged in plotting their fathers over
throw. The oldest, Jupiter, was most
active in the rebellion. and e'er long
Saturn, and the titans and giants, his
former earth subjects, were safely
locked in Tartarus
Now, Jupiter, The Thunderer, Zeus-
/ pater, father of gods and men, began
/ his reign. Beside his undisputed dom
inion in the heavens, he exercised i
sort of sovereignty oyer the other
gods, who pail him homage in return
for their possessions. He experienced
some difficulty in keeping his high
born subjects in order, and quarrel:
and determinations between himsel
and his wife. Juno, were of freqden
occurrence.
Toward his human subjects he con
Quoted himself more worthily. Justice
mercy, and many high attributes wer,
ascribed to him in his government o
earthly affairs.
Mars, the god of war, was a son o
Jupiter. Though delighting in fgh
and carnage, he was by no means al
ways victorious He was the person.
fication of the disasters of war, as wei
As its successes. In the Had we SCI
him wounded by well aimed stone
from the hand OF Pallas (who coulC
throw straight, though she was WON
an), and falling full length on thu
plain, "Seven hundred feet he lay,
and glad enough he was of Venus
help. Perhaps my statement that he
delighted in battle and wounds wa
too sweeping He liked to see other:
fight but preferred to be excused him
self The fifth book of the Had tells
how he was wounded by the spear o
Doomed, Il mortal, and he really made
almost as great an ado about it, as one
of Howell's heroines at the sight of q
mouse.
"Then Mars cried out aloud, with
such a shout rs if nine thousand OF
ten thousand men should simuitane.
Gus raise their battle-cry," and hurried
off to his father with a piteous story
about "the evils OF war" etc.
Passing by orr 'broad-chested
earth" Gaea, the wife of Uranus, with
whom we will consider our acquaint-
ance sufficient for the present, we
come to Venus, "The darling of the
old religion" goddess of love and
beauty. She was called Aphrodite by
the Greeks, and was the heroine of
many romances. The older myths
call her the daughter of Jupiter and
Diane; the later .1Lends say that she
was the child Of Uranus, AMI that she
first emerged in all her loveliness from
I the foam of the sea.
She loved beautiful young shep-
herd named Adonis, and when he was